Crane Media | Hawaii Video Blog

We are honored to be a part of the very first WEDDINGS 101 workshop presented by the Ihilani Resort and Spa.  The Ihilani in Ko’Olina has been a popular location for brides who want all of the luxuries a Resort has to offer while remaining on the west side of Oahu.  In November, the Ihilani will offer prospective brides the opportunity to tour the property and sample all that the resort has to offer.

Vendors that will speak at this event will be:
Terri Hyden [Ihilani Resort]
James Chun [Crane Media]
Kelly Sugano [A Perfect Day]
David Louis [Dynamic Sounds]
Sue Yamaguchi [SUV Expressions]
China Anderson [REA Events]
Robin Scanlon [Eye of the Islands]

Please come and enjoy lunch at this one of a kind property.  Invitation below.  Tell them that Crane Media sent ya.

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Congratulations on your recent engagement!

We cordially invite you to join us for Weddings 101

Hokulani Ballroom JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

9:30am – 10:00am : Registration
10:00am – 2:00pm : Workshop with Lunch

Weddings are our specialty and we would like to share our expertise in planning for the most special first day of your new lives together.   A select group of Hawaii’s most talented wedding professionals will conduct mini-seminars on coordination, floral arrangements, décor, photography, videography and entertainment.

No charge for admission
Complimentary validated parking
R.S.V.P by Monday, November 9, 2009 to Ihilani Event Management
679-3255 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday

A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be invited by the Westin Moana Surfrider to take part in their introduction of the Beach House restaurant.  I was a little out of place (being the only non-event planner) and at the same time, excited to be amongst the company of Hawaii’s finest planners.  One of those individual is the extraordinarily talented Laura Lewis.  Here is what she had to say about the experience.

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originally posted by Parasol Events

Last Wednesday, I lunched as a guest of the Moana’s catering department at the Beach House Restaurant. This was the previous site of the Grand Salon (remodeled as part of the Westin management change) where many happy couples celebrated their weddings.

To my delight, I learned that the space is now available for wedding receptions! The view remains as stunning as it always has been while the furnishings and decor have a modern casual beach feeling. One more wonderful option available to my clients:)

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“A once in a lifetime event deserves a one of a kind venue.  Let us guide you through our new ballrooms and show you our room and suite accommodations.  Meet our exclusive Partnered Companies and our own Romance Specialist.  Revel in the design and service details of The Kahala Wedding Experience.”

Friday, October 23rd, 2009
5pm - 10pm
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Ballrooms, Ceremony Sites, Guest Rooms and Suites

Start your journey with a simple step.  Register for the Kahala Wedding Showcase by going to www.kahalaresort.com or call 808.739.8715

Our groom today, Thomas, is a familiar face.  Last year, he was the bestman at Ted and Angela’s wedding.  Of course, Ted made his reprise today as Thomas’ bestman.  Lifelong friends were they.  They chose to have their weddings at the same location (Halekulani), using the same wedding planner (Kelly Sugano of ‘A Perfect Day’) and us as their videographer.

We have been having a lot of fun experimenting with new ways to see the same thing.  One thing that every wedding has are rings.   So it’s always a fun challenge for us think of creative ways to showcase it.  After all, the rings are the quintessential symbol of the wedding itself.  It deserves to have a little of the spotlight.

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Priviledged to work with this day:

Kelly Sugano - A Perfect Day
Halekulani Resort 

posted by james chun | www.cranemedia.com

What a crazy Sunday it was.  My day started off with a early morning on the set of “The Kealohas” where I played the character of “Mr. Lee”.  We always havd a blast shooting with this crew.  Don’t we look marvelous?

After the shoot, it was off to Ward Center to check out “Bride Wars” by the Wedding Cafe.  Bride wars was a competition between brides who plays games in order to win various prizes from local wedding vendors.  I didn’t get a chance to stay all the way but it looked like a lot of fun.

After all that, it was off to Sinae and Kealii’s wedding.  Sinae was the maid of honor at another wedding that we had shot the previous year.  It’s always a pleasure to see past clients again at their friend’s weddings.  At that point, we seem more like friends.

Having full confidence in our taste, Sinae allowed us to pick the song for her ceremony highlights.  So we went with “Say” by OneRepublic.  It’s not a typical wedding song but I love the way it builds up.  One of my favorite shots in the video is the opening scene with the spinning ring.  Like so many great discoveries, this too was an accident.  After I was given the rings, I just put them on Sinae’s iPhone.  Then she got a call and the rings started to spin due to the vibration of the phone.  Viola! 

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Priviledged to work with this day:

Sandra Williams - Finishing Touch
Shawn Starr Photography

posted by james chun | www.cranemedia.com

It began as one of the wettest mornings I had ever seen.  At 3:00am I was awakened by the sound of heavy rain hitting my window.  In just a few hours, I was to be at Sapphire’s bridal suite as she prepared for her big day.  I arrived to the Beach Villas at Ko’Olina together with her photographer, Aaron Bernard at 8:00am.  As we walked in, Sapphire was nervouse but hopeful about the day.

Fortunately, their wedding ceremony was INDOOR at the St. Elizabeth catherdral.  However, the reception was suppose to an outdoor event at the Lanikuhonua.  Thankfully, Terri Hyden of the Ihilani resort stepped up and provided a shelter for a beautiful reception that evening.  

The soggy weather was a part of the day that the couple will never forget.  There was obvious concern that you’ll see in Sapphire as she spoke on the phone.  But that concern turned into triumph - which makes this video so meaningful.

Sapphire’s prayers were answered…how appropriately that she chose “The Prayer” for her song as they tied the knot.

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VIDEO:  Crane Media
PHOTO:  Liquid Light Images
VENUE:  St. Elizabeth Cathedral

Photo by Shawn Starr

Congratulations to Orlena and Patrick, who’s wedding is featured on Elite Hawaii Weddings.

Credits:

This is just a repost for those couples who didn’t know that Crane Media is a preffered vendor at The Kahala Resort.

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Okay, this is a true story of true love.

A few weeks before the wedding day, while they were sleeping, Berni and Elton’s home caught on fire. I don’t have all the details but I do know that Berni only had enough time to grab her wedding rings before leaving the home. The next day, she called her wedding planner, Laura Lewis, to tell her of the news. Concerned, Laura asked Berni how she was doing. Berni’s reply was that she had gained more than she lost.

 ”How so?”, asked Laura. Berni told Laura of the heroic

 actions of her fiance, Elton. How he not only protected her, but did his best to alert the neighbors. With that, she knew without any doubt that she was marrying the right man.

We think that Elton chose the right girl as well. Berni and Elton, thanks for letting us be a part of your celebration!

Venue: The Kahala Resort
Videography: Crane Media
Photography: Visionari
Planner: Laura Lewis (Parasol Events)

It seems not only has the Banyan Tree Ballroom been renovated, the food was kicked up a notch as well.  We wedding vendors talk a lot about the different places we get to eat on a weekly basis.  And the Hale Koa is always up on the list.  Who would’ve thought the military could provide such great food.  Anyhow, the mahi mahi last night was off the hook!  Perfect texture and flavor!  I was trying to control my portion size but after having the first bite, I had to go back for a second piece of it.  I skipped out on dessert instead.  Thanks to a great team of vendors, last night was a huge success!  Congratulations to newlyweds, Joyce & Destin!

Credits:

Videography | Crane Media
Coordination | A Perfect Day
Photography | Shawn Starr
Make Up | Christine Gardner
Video/Photo Booth | ScreenBooth by Crane Media